BOWLING STUDY GUIDE
(Use this in addition to your bowling booklet. Remember the booklet needs to be turned
in on test day.)
EQUIPMENT:
BALL:
choose weight and size carefully.
Wt. Varies from 8-16 pounds.
Women typically use 12-15/ men typically use 13-16 pound ball.
Choose weight that is comfortable for YOU!
Holes vary 2-6/most bowlers use a 3-hole ball.
Be sure the holes are not too snug for the fingers. Span usually depends on
the size of the hand.
Pitch is usually 3/8”
SHOES: Should never be used anywhere except the bowling alley.
LEFT shoe has leather or buckskin to permit sliding.
RIGHT shoe has a rubber sole to provide braking.
(reverse if true for a left hand bowler.)
COURTESIES: Remain behind the foul line at all times.
Be ready to bowl when it is your turn and the pins are ready.
Always let the bowler on the RIGHT go first .
Do not get your ball from the rack when the bowler next to you is ready to
bowl.
Avoid loud distractions.
Show good sportsmanship.
SAFETY:
Be sure pin setter is clear before rolling a ball.
Wait for a ball to return before rolling another.
Remove the ball properly from the rack to save on “mashing” a toe or
fingers. (use two hands!)
Stay completely off the approachway until the preceding bowler is done and
off the approachway.
Be sure you are using a ball that is the correct size for you. Avoid bowling
balls with chips or other irregularities.
METHODS OF AIMING:
Pin: aiming directly at the pins.
Spot: aiming at a certain spot on the lane (using the arrows).
Line: Combination of pin and spot aiming.
ROLL ANALYSIS: If you keep “just missing”, stop and consider one or all of the
following:
Stance – grip - Four step approach – delivery - follow through - or speed.
VOCABULARY
Gutter Ball: A poorly rolled ball that curves to one of the gutters before hitting the pins.
Hook: A ball that sharply breaks to the left as it nears the pins for a right-handed bowler.
Loft: Throwing the ball too far out onto the lane beyond the foul line.
Pitch: The angle at which the finger holes are bored into the ball.
Span: distance between the thumb and finger holes on a ball.
Line: A games of ten frames.
Mark: A strike or a spare.
Frame: A box on the score sheet in which the scores are registered. 1/10 of a game.
Open Frame: A frame without a strike or a spare.
Spare: all pins knocked down with TWO balls.
Strike: All pins knocked down with the FIRST ball.
Turkey or Triple: THREE strikes in a row.
Double: TWO strikes in a row.
Alley bed: The lane excluding the gutters and approachway.
Foul: Touching or going beyond the foul line as a ball is delivered.
Sleeper: Rear pin not easily seen because of a pin directly in front of it.
Perfect Game: 12 consecutive strikes with 300 as the score.
Head Pin: The number 1 pin.
King Pin: The number 5 pin.
Foul Line: The line which separate the approach from the lane.
Approachway: The area on which the bowler take his/her steps prior to delivery.
Split: Two or more pins standing with at least one pin knocked down in front and
between.
Baby Split: the 2-7 or the 3-10 split.
Bed Post Split: The 7-10 split.
FOUL
LINE
A
P
P
R
O
A
C
H
W
A
Y
ALLEYBED
GUTTER
Remember: be sure to also use your bowling booklet as part of this
study guide!!!!!!